Hear a podcast of our radio interview on KNSJ with Tad Parzen, City Heights Partnership: http://www.kiwi6.com/file/sjqbi6s8mf

By Janis Russell

May 22, 2014 (City Heights)- The mission of the City Heights Partnership for Children, which has been in existence since 2011, is for young people to emerge as adults with the skills to succeed in college or a career and enter adulthood as productive members of the community. From preparing children to kindergarten to saving youngster's vision and even lives, the Partnership is attracting national attention for its successes.

May 17, 2014 (El Cajon) – The Aces Foundation is hosting a Special Auction Event benefitting the El Cajon Animal Shelter on June 1, from 5 – 7 p.m. at O’s American Kitchen, Parkway Plaza, El Cajon.  Barkitecture Animal Houses will be up for auction.

May 15, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--San Diego Las Hermanas, a group of women dedicated to meeting the needs of East County, has raised over $600,000 for local charities in the 12 years they have been serving the community.  This year they are raising money for Fostering Opportunities/Dollars for Scholars, Include Autism and The Challenge Center.

By Janis Russell

April 30, 2014 (Spring Valley)- Royal Family Kids Camp provides a  network of camps and mentor clubs for children of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. The vision is that “every foster child, ages 6-12, experiences a life-changing camp, club and mentor.” The mission is to “create life- changing moments for children of abuse.” The purpose is to “mobilize the faith community to confront child abuse.”

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2014 (El Cajon ) – More than $45,000 was raised at this year’s Morning Glory Brunch, held on  April 12 at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon to benefit the center’s innovative programs helping the developmentally disabled. 

A highlight of the occasion included the ever-popular frog race, which had more than 500 entries this year vying for prizes. St. Madeleine’s swim team helped the plastic frog “contestants” along, kicking and splashing at the edge of the pool, while a “frog princess” at the opposite end declared the official winners. 

View a video of the frog race: http://youtu.be/o6kFCc-V2Uk

Click "read more" and scroll down for more photos and details from this event.

April 9, 2014 (El Cajon)-At a special ceremony held last month, Katy Chapman received the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) District 12 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) Part-Time Recognition Award.  Chapman, a Recreation Specialist with the City of El Cajon’s Recreation Department, was recognized for her years of dedication, enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond in her service to the organization and the community.  At the April 8 City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council congratulated her on this prestigious award.

March 29, 2014 (San Diego) - The San Diego Advertising Fund for Emergencies (SAFE), a volunteer, non-profit organization (501c3) providing confidential financial assistance to local advertising and marketing professionals and their families facing a life crisis emergency, will host its 13th annual fundraising party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, at the Ivy Rooftop Lounge atop the Andaz Hotel, 600 “F” St., in the Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego.

March 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --Raul was blind for four years due to diabetes.  He lives alone and couldn’t leave his house, walk to the store or do daily tasks.  Last winter he was very cold because he couldn’t see well enough to make a warm fire. 

With the help of Mountain Health’s Senior Transportation Program, Raul has been able to get to and from his doctor’s appointments including surgery for his eyes, and pick up his eye drops and diabetes medications.  Today, Raul can see 70% better in his right eye after having multiple surgeries.  He recently underwent surgery on his left eye that resulted in seeing shadows and light. 

Raul said, “Your program is God sent.  Without it, none of this would have happened.  It’s just a miracle!”  He has a better outlook on life and states with a huge smile on his face, “My future is looking brighter now that I can see my grandkids.”

March 19, 2014 (El Cajon) - Sunday, March 16 was a beautiful day for a race in the City of El Cajon, as RunEC held its second annual “St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon, Main Street 5K, and Green Mile.”

March 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Through March 17, you can vote once every 24 hours to help the MTRP Foundation win up to $15,000 for a “Technology Makeover” for the 8 Rangers at MTRP.  The MRC Company “Smart Technology Solutions” is the largest technology and services company in the San Diego area specializing in workflow solutions and office systems.  They are currently running a contest to provide the winning 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation with up to a $15,000 technology upgrade for their office.  The winner will be decided by the number of votes cast on-line through March 17. Here is the LINK to vote and you can vote once every 24 hours. Scroll down the right hand side of the webpage until you come to Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation and click the “Vote” button to help us win.  The funds will be used to provide the 8 Rangers at MTRP with wifi connected tablets such as the Microsoft Surface Pro.

Hear our radio interview with Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat on KNSJ:  http://kiwi6.com/file/t6zfwlgfk1

 

By Janis Mork

March 5, 2014 (El Cajon)- Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, who has her own healing center on Mt. Helix and was born and raised in Haiti, was recently selected as one of 22 ‘Brilliant, Beautiful, and Brave Black Women’ and her profile is on display in the women’s museum in San Diego until March 28.

They had looked for women who did a lot for the community, and that is what Murat has done.  In an interview with East County Magazine, she provided more details into her efforts to help people in Haiti and here in our local communities.

March 1, 2014 (El Cajon) –Feral Cat Coalition (FCC), who has a permanent spay/neuter facility located in El Cajon, announces the start of its 2014 Feral & Friends Price-Matching Campaign.  Starting today through March 25^th, a generous donor will match all donations to FCC dollar-for-dollar. To make a donation, go to www.feralcat.com/pricematch or mail your contribution to Feral Cat Coalition, 9225 Miramar Rd., PMB 160, San Diego, CA 92126.  All donations are tax deductible.

By Aaron Landau

February 27, 2014 (San Diego)-- Twenty-five years ago, Eden Steele was a sixth grade teacher at Parkview School in Chula Vista. She was looking for a meaningful way to empower youth with the understanding, skills, and strategies to resolve conflicts in a non-violent way. The result was Peace Patrol©™.

February 26, 2014 (San Diego)--In celebration of Black History Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank, N.A., has partnered with KPBS in San Diego to honor extraordinary African Americans as local heroes.  The 2014 Black History Month honorees are: former professor and breast cancer awareness advocate Tessie Bonner, and J.T. Inge, Joe Earl Jackson, and Dr. Carrel Reavis, Original Montford Point Marines.